Research Proposal & Data Collection

Elements of a Research Project

• Problem/issue/question• Techniques, methods• Data

Problem, Issue, Question

• Research problem/issue/question• provides intellectual strategy for the

investigation.• Questions are very powerful

Technique, Methods

• A technique or set of techniques with which you conduct the investigation.

Data

• A body of data which provides the information necessary to sustain the investigation

Techniques-focussed Proposal

• Object is to devise a research technique• Find data, research problem to test the

technique.• Example:

– Simple techniques a housebuyer could use to establish solar capture potential of residential properties.

Data-focussed Proposal

• Object is to investigate some data• Find appropriate techniques and research

questions• Example:

– The City of Toronto’s data release programme: which sorts of data is the public actually finding useful?

Problem-focussed Proposal

• Object is to investigate a research question• Need to find suitable data and appropriate

techniques.• Example:

– Is there a connection between socio-economic status of a neighbourhood and its tree cover?

Formulating Research Questions

• Key to intellectual inquiry

Sample research question:

• Is there a connection between socio-economic status of a neighbourhood and its tree cover?

• Suggests subsidiary questions

Subsidiary question:

• Does it vary according to the type of housing, date of construction?

• Does it vary according to ethnicity?• Does it vary according to household

wealth?

Subsidiary question:

• How can we find suitable data on the date of construction, household wealth, ethnicity?

Subsidiary question:

• How do we go about testing the data and answering/investigating the question?

What the Research Question Does

• Provides key to research• Suggests a stem of subsidiary questions• Suggests types of data required• Suggests types of investigative techniques• Suggests objectives for literature search and

review

Types of Question

• Degrees of closure/openness

Closed Questions

• Very limited in scope and immediate significance

• Provoke a simple and limited answer– Which you can almost control

• Eg: How much does Canadian Tire charge for light bulbs?

Open Questions

• Questions where the objective is broad, and not well-defined

• Powerful, but often elusive• Interesting questions• EG: How important is electricity to

Toronto?

Open/Closed Questions

• Closed questions seem easier to answer– But are less powerful, useful than open

questions• Open questions may be unaswerable, but

you have fun trying• You need to consider what kinds of

questions to ask

Your Research projects

• Have to be somewhat limited in scope– Available time, skill, experience, research

methods, data limited• Closed questions seem easier, safer, suited

to the limitations you face– But closed questions are usually less important.

Open and Closed

• There should be a balance of open and closed questions

• Example:– How do different newspapers cover crime

issues? (closed) and then use this to discuss the open question of how Toronto thinks about crime.

Thesis Statements

• Do help clarify the purpose of an essay• Provide no real help with essay execution

– Offers no research questions• Thesis statements encourage students to

jump to conclusions• Please try the question-focussed approach

Research Proposal

• 2 pages approx. outlining proposal• “Starter” bibliography of relevant sources• 1 paragraph (approx.) review of 2 relevant

sources• Include sample questionnaire, if relevant• Due Jan 26